City again linked with 27-goal hitman Gonzalo Higuain [TMW]

Gonzalo Higuain is one of Europe’s most recognisable strikers and has been the subject of debate in recent years. An elite marksman to some, others have labelled him a ‘bottler’ after high profile misses for Real Madrid, Napoli, and Argentina.

This season, though, the Argentine has taken his game to a whole new level, and is currently one of Europe’s best forwards. He has scored 27 goals in 29 Serie A games for Napoli, and ask Edin Džeko (7 goals in 24 games for Roma) and Stevan Jovetić (4 goals in 19 games for Inter) how stingy defences in the Italian league can be.

At the age of 28, Higuain is in his prime years as a footballer and could be on his way out of Napoli this summer. The Partenopei can be notoriously difficult to negotiate with, as City found out in the past when trying to negotiate a deal with president Aurelio De Laurentiis for Edinson Cavani. However, Higuain has rejected a new contract and even though his current deal expires in 2018, it’s thought he will push for a big move this summer.

Recent reports have claimed Jose Mourinho may want him at United, but a story from TMW, sourcing information from Rai Sport, names City as one of the teams ready to make a play for Higuain. Bayern Munich are also said to be interested, with Carlo Ancelotti an admirer of the player.

Wilfried Bony’s inept performances have made him a dead man walking at City, and with Sergio Agüero’s fitness forever a concern, Bony’s departure would leave Kelechi Iheanacho as City’s only striker. Guardiola could look to his midfield for goals and attempt to turn De Bruyne into his new Thomas Müller for example, but signing another quality forward would be less of a risk.

Could Higuain be the man to answer City’s problems when Kun is injured or just in need of a rest? The two have also played together for Argentina, and could coexist in the same team, depending on Pep’s tactical plan.